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55. Remarks by Prime Minister Rabin welcoming Chancellor Kohl of
Germany, 6 June 1996.
Willy Brandt was the first German Chancellor to visit Israel in 1973. The
visit of a German (and a European) leader of the caliber of Mr. Kohl
afforded the opportunity for Israel to once again express its feeling
regarding Germany - not forgetting the terrible past, but looking to the
future. Germany had become, over the years, the most important European
ally of Israel. Text:
Mr. Chancellor,
Members of the German delegation,
Colleagues,
Government ministers,
Honored guests,
Welcome to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel and the heart of the
Jewish people.
Your visit to us, Mr. Chancellor, opens another new page in the relations
between Germany and Israel - even though we must not forget, and do not
want to forget, the terrible past. It is precisely now, when the entire
world is marking 50 years since the end of World War II and the victory
over the Nazis, that the wounds are being reopened, wounds which will
never heal. There is nothing more horrible than the Holocaust.
And yet, Mr. Chancellor, and members of the German delegation, so long as
we do not forget the past - our faces look toward the future. We are
approaching the year 2000. We are on the verge of the 21st century, and we
must do everything in our power to provide the coming generations with
peaceful and secure lives, with prosperity and freedom from worry.
The Federal Republic of Germany will have a key role to play in the coming
years in everything connected with the future, to our tranquillity,
security and prosperity. Its politically and economically central position
in Europe gives Germany and its leaders an extremely important role in
shaping the face of Europe and of the entire world. In seeking calm
throughout the world by creating a comprehensive peace in the Middle East,
rapidly in the near future, we seek friendship with Germany, we seek its
involvement, and we seek to firmly found the special relationship between
Bonn and Jerusalem.
Mr. Chancellor,
During your visit with us, you will meet with those who seek peace, who
dream about an end to wars. You will see a country which rose out of the
ashes of the Holocaust victims, a modern nation, a country with advanced
technology - which has from whom to learn, and also what to teach.
Mr. Chancellor,
Welcome to Jerusalem.
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